Bandits. This issue is reaching no end, that man whom Arjuna recently caught in the forest couldn't give him the required information, these people from Ramapur were just Messengers, they were hired only to make the weapons. For crying out loud no one has ever seen the leader. The puzzle has remained a puzzle and now there is no information left to gather from this kingdom and Arjuna has to leave. But things got complicated since he met Chitra.

Two days had passed since Arjuna saw Princess Chitra, everytime he thought about her his heart would make a somersault as if it was his first to ever see a beautiful girl. Her innocence and her clumsiness was supposed to irritate him but these qualities just brought her closer to his heart. But time was slipping, he would soon have to leave this kingdom and was yet to reveal his decision about the marriage alliance. He can't marry Priyamvada, not now when he realised that he developed some romantic feelings towards Chitra.

"My lord!" A soldier showed up in front of Arjuna's room, stating that a royal soldier from Ramapur court had bought an important message from king Indradas. Vikram who was standing by the corner dismissed the soldier.

" It must be for your decision my lord." Vikram stated, It must be a tough task for him, Vikram though.

"My lord, please forgive me for crossing my place but will you ask for Princess Chitra's hand for the marriage alliance?"

"It's complicated Vikram," Saying Arjuna took a long breath, confused about what step he is supposed to take. Should he follow his heart? Or maintain his pride as a king and let her go?

"My king!" Ratan came running and almost tripped on his way, "It seems some chaos has happened in the palace last night and the king might change his proposal about you marrying the princess!"

"Minister Ratan, please calm down." Vikram spoke in a calming tone, "Please take a seat and explain in detail."

Minister Ratan explained both Vikram and Arjuna about the Royal hall incident.

"Our informant says that the king was deeply hurt to see his wife and daughter revolting and disrespecting him. So he has decided to get his other daughter, Princess- wait what was her name-" Ratan wondered scratching his head, he just heard her name.

"Princess Chitra." Vikram filled in for Ratan.

"Oh yes! Chitra! So king Indradas might now propose a change in this marriage alliance! What does he take us for?" Ratan spoke in a Mocking tone, "Put up a powerless Princess for a marriage alliance and we would accept? No way on- "

"Enough." Arjuna said gritting his teeth, how dare he speak against Princess Chitra? But he has to control his anger, now that the situation has turned in his favour.

Arjuna stood up adjusting his Royal clothes. "Let us go and see what the king has got to offer." Saying he moved out of the room.

Soon Vikram gathered the soldiers and they left for the Royal court. Vikram smiled while walking behind Arjuna. Well, if things go well his king might get what his heart wants.

* * *

" Princess!" Meenakshi Exclaimed with happiness as she walked towards Chitra.

"What happened Meenamma?" Chitra asked, puzzled about what Meenamma was so delightful about.

"Today, at the royal court your marriage has been fixed with king Arjuna!" Meenamma spoke with excitement as her eyes shined with love for Chitra.

"Wha-what are you talking about? Are you joking?" Chitra spoke astonished, why would a king like Arjuna marry her? While there were the most talented Princesses like Priyamvada available for him.

"Oh my princess! You will finally be able to get out of this palace with respect! I clearly remember how kind he was when we met him last time. Who would have such luck to get a noble husband like king Arjuna? You are lucky indeed my lady!" Saying so, Meenakshi moved around cleaning the room.

"You should wear more ornaments, as now many royals would come around to congratulate you." Saying so Meenamma placed a set of Gold earnings with a ruby necklace.

"But what about Priyamvada?" Chitra asked worriedly, thinking about what she must be facing. Priyamvada has never once treated her with respect but cancellation of a marriage with a king was a big issue.

Though she was happy just thinking about getting married to Arjuna, the thought of Priyamvada and the amount of humiliation she might be facing made her sad.

"She had bought this situation herself, she went against the king and insulted him! Which daughter raises her voice against her own father? And also.." Meenamma kept mumbling all day while cleaning around and getting the preparations ready for rituals.

It was late in the evening, Chitra sat by the huge windowsill wondering about how God had answered her prayers but a small sense of panic was settling down in her heart. Arjuna is a king and there are high chances of him marrying again! She definitely has feelings for him, but this was too much to handle. She might become a queen and she might have to face this royal chaos again.

Her train of thoughts were brought to a halt as Princess Priyamvada walked in.

"Sister Chitra, I heard that you would be getting married to king Arjuna." Priyamvada spoke with teary eyes,

"Please! Please let me marry him! I won't be able to live with this humiliation." She caught Chitra's hands pulling them to her forehead and started crying.

"Bu-but Priyamvada, I don't have anything in my hands- "

"No! You do! You can just send a word to Arjuna stating that you won't marry him! Please!! " Priyamvada almost begged in a desperate tone.

Chitra felt a sharp pang of pain in her heart listening to those words, would she be able to let Arjuna go? He was the only good thing that ever happened to her, he was the only person who cared for her genuinely. But Chitra was equally shocked to see this side of Priyamvada. She was always demanding and would never lose a chance to bully her. But now she seemed disturbed, she seemed broken.

And after all she was not meant to be a queen, but Priyamvada is.

"Priyamvada, this is father's decision but if you want I can try talking to father- "

"I get it." She interrupted her and Chitra noticed the sudden change in her tone as she let her hand go roughly. Her eyes turned dark, almost evil scaring Chitra.

"You know what is the most important thing for a woman?" Priyamvada asked in a low voice, twirling around as if she went mad.

" Let me tell you if you don't have any idea, it's her purity. No man on this earth would want an impure woman as his wife. And a king is no exempt." Saying so, she started laughing, her laugh echoing in her empty chambers.

Chitra could hear her heart beat out loud, a roll of sweat passed down her spine making her shiver. She was not that dumb to not sense where this conversation as going. She should escape now, from Priyamvada. She seemed to have lost her mental balance. As she started walking towards the chamber's entrance to run away from her, Priyamvada caught her hand roughly pushing her backwards.

"Priya-priyamvada what are you doing?"

"Aakesh!" Priyamvada screamed and a man probably in his late thirties entered the room with a creepy smile on his face. He was tall and heavy and mainly drunk,

"Who is this priy- "

"This would've been your husband darling. But there's no issue as he still wants you."

A Shiver passed down Chitra's spine listening to what she said, tears flowed down her cheeks not understanding how to save herself,

" Please dont do- " before Chitra could complete her sentence, Priyamvada walked out the chambers and the doors were pulled close.

She stood crying and begging the demon standing in front of her, he laughed looking at her, " Come on Princess, now stop crying and get in my arms."

"Help!" Chitra tried to scream, but her voice came out as a whisper.

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